Second Reading
A READING FROM THE FIRST LETTER OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS
Just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body - Jews or Greeks, slaves or free - and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot would say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear would say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many members, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you," nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and those members of the body that we think less honourable we clothe with greater honour, and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect; whereas our more respectable members do not need this. But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honour to the inferior member, that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honoured, all rejoice together with it. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But strive for the greater gifts.
1 CORINTHIANS 12:12-31A
Sermon: The Rev. Dr. Maryann Amor
While preparing for a meeting, I came across this video on YouTube, part of a longer sermon called ‘What Is My Ministry’, by Tim Conway from Grace Community Church in Texas. As I began to watch it, I immediately felt guilty. It made me think about my time in Scotland, writing my doctoral thesis. I was on a tight schedule, with only three years to complete it due to my scholarship. I had found a wonderful church near my residence and was fully involved in various ministries. But there were days I skipped church because I just “had to” finish my thesis. I didn’t think anyone even noticed when I wasn’t there. Honestly, I didn’t consider how my presence… or absence…might impact the congregation. My focus was solely on my thesis and what I thought I needed to do.
Now, I’m not sharing this video to make you feel guilty for those days when you can’t make it to worship. We all have a lot going on—life happens, kids have activities, schedules are overwhelming, and we are exhausted. Instead of guilt, I hope you might take away from the video and this sermon something more lifegiving…the understanding that every single one of us is important for the entire Body of Christ. You matter, and your presence makes a difference in ways you might not even realize.
The video clip illustrated this well. Conway described what it’s like when a part of the body doesn’t show up. Imagine a body part just falling off—it’s silly, but it makes the point. Every part, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, has a role. Our contributions to the Body of Christ can be as simple as joining in prayer, singing, or simply being present. These acts may seem small, but they are vital. When one part of the body is missing, the whole body feels it.
This idea is central to what Paul teaches in the second reading we heard today. Paul writes: “God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member, that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it.”
Paul reminds us that we are all deeply interconnected, and every part of the Body of Christ is indispensable. When one part doesn’t show up, doesn’t fulfill its role, or is hurting, the entire body is affected.
This brings us to an important truth about ourselves—one that I’ve struggled with, and maybe you have, too. Sometimes, we see ourselves as insignificant. We might think, “If I weren’t here, it wouldn’t matter.” I know I’ve felt this way before. It feels super self-centered to think, “Everyone will miss me if I don’t show up.” If I were a body part, I might compare myself to something easily overlooked—like the appendix or even a baby toe. But while these parts may seem insignificant, they actually serve a greater purpose. The appendix, for example, is thought to play a role in the immune system, helping the body fight infection, the baby toe ensures that weight is distributed evenly over the foot when we walk. Similarly, each of us, contributes to the Body of Christ in ways that might not be obvious but are undeniably vital.
So, no matter how small or insignificant you might feel, know this: you are needed. You are an indispensable part of the Body of Christ. Your presence and your contributions matter in ways you may never see or fully understand. Each of us has a role to play. You are a vital part of our church family, your community, and the lives of those God has placed around you.
And when we step into our roles—when we show up, when we pray, when we reach out to others—the Body of Christ becomes stronger. Together, we support one another through struggles, celebrate one another’s joys, and live out God’s calling for us as one body.
As you leave worship today, I encourage you to embrace this truth. This week, think of one small way you contribute to the Body of Christ—whether it’s through prayer, reaching out to someone who might be lonely, or simply being present. God has placed you here, in this time and place, for a purpose. Let’s walk forward together, with the quiet strength of the appendix or baby toe—as one body, connected, vital, and alive in Christ.
Amen.
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